lol, normally she asks for pizza pies, which are like pizza rounders. Or noodles, which isnt 2min noodles, but chow mein noodles or similar... Sometimes she eats what she is given but normally she just doesnt.
After having a dream dinner eater in DD, DS is just a nightmare, and frustratingly, he's the one influencing DD, not the other way around.
A few things that have worked for us (though with the disclaimer of not always, often random success)
- They have to eat at the table, but I'm not particularly fussy about the description of the table. I have eaten dinner at the kids table, the coffee table, outside...you get the idea.
- I try and get them to eat early - yes that means sometimes I'm eating really early, but they can't manage boo when they're tired and then generally bedtime turns to poo too.
- Horrifyingly (not really but some would be ) sometimes I give them a snack (a little one) an hour before dinner if they're particularly ratty. That helps tide them over and they aren't so starving that they're cranky and uppity at dinner time and unwilling to try anything.
- offer a smaller/larger different plate. DD refused for ages to eat her dinner. Turned out she wanted a plate like mine instead of a babies plate...whatdayaknow - she was happy to eat again. DS on the other hand needs a smaller plate or otherwise he's overwhelmed and won't eat boo.
- offer less food than you think they can eat. They can always have more and the small triumph for them of finishing a plate of food and your approval is often the boost they need. My MIL used to berate me for the tiny amount of food I'd give DD - but she'd eat it and ask for more She's happy and I'm happy - portion size is individual when your tummy is only as big as your fist.
- a 'picnic plate' as DD calls it. A little bit of everything we're eating and some other bits and pieces) in a segmented plate.
The segmented plate platter is a good one. Savoury platter with fruit.
Watermelon. Bloody Watermelon. Only dinner she'd eat for 3 days in a row.
Getting her into the kitchen with a stool she can stand on the reach the bench so she can help prepare her own food helps a lot too. Sometimes she gets to choose what colour bowl, plate and cutlery she wants and helps us chop her own fruit with a toddler knife.
If the tantrums start (which sometimes they do)...put the food on the table and get on with dinner. If she's hungry, she'll eat it. Took 10 minutes last night of crying and screaming and blubbering - for no actual reason we could see (I was genuinely confused at why she was crying) and then she just stopped dead, and totally calmly picked up the food and ate the whole lot.
But then sometimes - when it's a stupid thing like the wrong colour spoon - and the whinging gets to me in the evening when I am tired, I give in and give her every bloody spoon. LOL.
Perhaps a sandwich? Even if it's just jam, or vegemite or cheese.
What about a little snack tray of sultanas, cheese & crackers? I know it's not the healthiest, but it's something.
IMO, I think you just need to get her to start eating ANYTHING at dinnertime, once you have it established that she will actually eat at dinnertime, then I would start getting strict on what it is she consumes (vegies, meat, etc...). I think the trick first is to get her body used to eating at dinner time & then start introducing a 'suitable' dinner. KWIM?
lol hang in there beansbeans, Angela's post made me remember something. When DS was about your DD's age, he refused to eat anything but frozen peas for a full fortnight....you just have to take a deep breath and know that this too shall pass.
As I have watched my sister create the fussiest eaters on the planet my best advice would be to not let her see how frustrated you are and never let it become a battle.
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) sometimes I give them a snack (a little one) an hour before dinner if they're particularly ratty. That helps tide them over and they aren't so starving that they're cranky and uppity at dinner time and unwilling to try anything.
She's happy and I'm happy - portion size is individual when your tummy is only as big as your fist.
thankyou
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